HAMPTON, Va. - George Washington sailing placed second overall at the MAISA South Spring qualifier on Sunday to secure a bid to the America Trophy in two weeks.

The Colonials finished as runners-up in a 16 team field with 78 points after 11 races, seven points behind regatta champion Penn. With the top five finish, GW claimed one of the event's five available qualifying spots for the 18-team MAISA Coed Conference Championship - the America Trophy - in Annapolis, Md., April 13 and 14.

"It was a very productive weekend. We're excited to go to the America Trophy and compete at the conference championship," said head coach John Pearce. "It was a strong regatta, we were battling with Christopher Newport and Penn with very tight racing and a lot of lead changes throughout."

The trio of seniors Ian Conners and Rebecca Engel and freshman Henry Young posted nine top 3 finishes and placed second in the A Division with 36 points, just three behind Penn. Conners and Engel finished no lower than third in their five races together with a victory in Race 6, while Conners and Young teamed to win Race 8.